Monroe County commissioners want to add up to three sheri­ff’s deputies in 2014 to boost law enforcement’s presence and to combat crime and drug abuse in the community.

The move would come after the approval of Sheriff Dale Malone.

The board’s overall plan is to add a total of three deputies this year to meet one of its goals for the new year.

Chairman Jerry Oley said he already has discussed the addi­tional deputies with the sheriff. He hopes to meet with the sheriff again in the next two weeks along with County Administrator Mi­chael Bosanac to iron out a for­mal proposal and bring it back to the next board session March 4.

“This board made it very clear that we want to protect our citi­zens and children,” Mr. Oley said. “ This is an opportunity to pro­vide extra officers. Having a pres­ence out there is critical. We’ve lost several deputy positions and need to bring them back.”

He said last month the board identified public safety as its No. 1 goal for the year. Boosting law enforcement’s presence on the street is its top priority.

It would cost about $87,000, including salary and fringe benefits, to add one deputy to the force, the chairman said. There is money in the general fund, but the sheriff’s budget would have to be amended first.

“We’d have to adjust his bud­get to accommodate three positions,” Mr. Oley said.

The board wanted to confirm its plan with the sheriff before moving forward. Commissioner Mark Brant said there was a need to add one deputy “immediately and certainly more will be a wel­come resource to the sheriff.”

The board discussed adding deputies while addressing goals for 2014.

There are other needs in the county, “ but none more impor­tant than protecting” citizens from the “scourge of drugs and crime,” Mr. Oley said.

“Our finances are fairly stable at this point, and we can act on this matter now due in part to the cost controls of the sheriff and his administration that will make funding available,” he said.

Commissioner Jason Sheppard said more deputies are needed to curb the heroin epidemic in the community.